Water, sewer rate increases set
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
By Jennifer Kellner
The Mount Ayr city council approved the third readings of the water and sewer ordinances, increasing rates to cover estimated budget shortfalls at their regular meeting Monday, August 11.
The new adjusted rates will be published in an upcoming issue of the Mount Ayr Record News.
SAM GIS presentation
Dustin Henggeler with SAM, shared an overview of the managed geospatial services they provide to cities like Mount Ayr. The council briefly considered the benefits of having precise mapping data for sewer, stormwater, and water utilities, but did not take any action.
Noting they have several large projects to take into account, the council tabled any decision on moving forward with GIS mapping services.
Public Hearing
After an error in publishing the original public notice was discovered, the council restarted the approval process to enter into a General Obligation bond agreement.
No one was in attendance for a repeat public hearing to enter into a proposed General Obligation Corporate Purpose Loan Agreement and to borrow money thereunder in a principal amount not to exceed $600,000.
The council then swiftly approved Resolution 2025-25, authorizing and approving a loan agreement, providing for the issuance of a $600,000 General Obligation Corporate Purpose Note, Series 2025 and providing for the levy of taxes to pay the same.
Other business
In other regular business, the council approved:
The 3rd reading of the water rate adjustment in Water Ordinance;
The 3rd reading of the sewer rate adjustment in Sewer Ordinance;
Resolution 2025-26 increasing the wage for Jesse Ruby after he received his Water Distribution License;
A building permit for ROA in Fire Zone;
A chicken permit renewal from Jennie Oldenkamp.
Wright Tree Service to remove roughly 15 trees not to exceed $10,000, including two that had recently fallen at Loch Ayr Lake. The city had talked with two different tree removal companies, but one did not feel comfortable doing the job.
Administrator Update
Administrator Wise reported the city is considering a water line extension along P46, just over two miles down the road. The extension would provide city water supply to four residences, including one new one. Wise plans to talk with the county and get cost estimates for the potential project.
Wise noted rain has continued to delay road projects, and the city will no longer be asked to contribute towards the county road resurfacing project near Loch Ayr Lake.
While looking into how to handle food trucks within city limits, Wise shared that they believe they would fall under the Peddlers, Solicitors and Transient Merchants ordinance.
The ordinance states a written application shall be filed with the City Clerk along with payment of $25.00 per day. The application shall also set forth the applicant’s employer, if any, and the employer’s address, the nature of the applicant’s business, the last three places of such business and the length of time sought to be covered by the license.
Any person engaging in peddling, soliciting or in business as a transient merchant in the City, without first obtaining a license, is in violation of Chapter 122 – Peddlers, Solicitors and Transient Merchants.
Wise shared that Dennis Dugan created a chicken permit application, and plans to implement the use of the form going forward.
The sewer plant road, which also leads to the brush pile location, is need of a lot of rock. Wise noted he is looking into gravel cost estimates.
